Part of the Do'a Iftitah

"Verily my solats, my ibadah, my life and my death I surrender to Almighty Allah, Creator and Lord of all the worlds. Never will I associate anything with Him. So am I commanded and I am of those who are Muslims."

The Muslim Bloggers Alliance

Bringing Muslim Bloggers Together

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Masjid Kapitan Keling - My Favourite Sanctuary in Penang

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.How time flies! Seemed like only yesterday that I was back home in Penang briefly to go get my herbal medication for my Diabetes Mellitus condition!I look forward to seeing my sanctuary in Penang each time I come nearer to my home island and my eyes yearn to catch a glimpse of its stylish minaret and the beautiful black dome.Used to be painted yellowish gold but since the last restoration work, they have painted it back to black.Yes, I am talking about the only masjid in Penang which captured my heart and enslaved my soul amongst its towering pillars which has always held up my favourite abode of peace and tranquility in the historic City of Georgetown, Penang Island- the Masjid Kapitan Keling.

This is myself during the times when I was living in Penang, carrying out interactive face to face Dakwah Walkabouts with our team from the Islamic Centre based at Masjid Kapitan Keling.Even today, whenever I return home to Penang, I'd take the opportunity to reach out to the visiting tourists and share with them about Islam.This is my base in Penang. The blessed mosque from where me and my friends used to go out on our Dakwah Walkabouts along the streets of Georgetown, especially along Chulia Street, home of backpackers and pubs , the place where tourists congregate and vice flourishes without any hindrance from the powers that be.

Photo above was taken when a fellow Da'ee Haji Abdurrahman from England joined us in our dakwah activities back then. Looking on with the big bushy beard and white skullcap is one of my closest buddies , Haji Mohamad Yassin, a tough guy and Italiano speaking Sufi mureed and fellow Da'ee.Between them wearing the green skullcap is Brother Mohamad Ali, a fellow activist. The tourist was from Europe and was very interested to learn more about Islam. May Allah SWT guide him. Ameen.

This is an early photo taken of us , founders of the Islamic Propagation Centre International which is now known as the Islamic Propagation Society International with Brother Haji Kamarudin Santanasamy Abdullah, a former Roman Catholic pastor wannabe running the centre today.

This is the minaret tower structure with its base which we turned into the fine Islamic Centre it is today minus the signboard for the building is gazetted as a National Monument and thus needs to be kept pristine and preserved for the future generations to come.

I was lucky to meet one of my closest friends and Ustaz, the current Imam of Masjid Kapitan Keling, Ustaz Haji Abdul Latif who is definitely getting skinnier by the day.When I enquired as to whether it is due to any sickness , he replied in the negative.Ustaz Latif said that maybe it is due to the fact that he has been fasting every other day for quite some time.

This is the magnificient 'mimbar' or pulpit of the Masjid Kapitan Keling from where the Khatib will read out his sermon to the congregation.It has been like that ever since I was small and the whole structure looks absolutely well preserved and kept in good condition. Alhamdulillah!

The interior of the dome has been beautified and restored back to its original condition.

This is the picture that usually appears in many postcards all over the world showing the magnificient architecture of the mosque which is my topmost favourite place in my home island.

This is the sight that I saw every working day when I was with Berkat Jewellers , exactly opposite to the mosque at Pitt Street, now changed to Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, 10200, Georgetown, Penang.

Another lovely shot of my favourite masjid. I never tire of admiring the masjid every second that I get !

I was happy to see this notice board which I authored the contents remaining there at the entrance of the mosque to this day.Alhamdulillah. It sure brings back memories when I was day in day out at the IPCI with my buddies Kamaruddin and Yassin.

I was surprised to see the emergence of this sight. This 2 centuries over old cemetery had been hidden away in the old buildings which had been demolished to expose the old graves of the founding fathers of the Indian Muslim community in the times of Captain Sir Francis Light and the era of the Indian Muslim Kapitan Keling Cauder Mohideen, a business tycoon back then.

I hope that the present day Penangites will preserve such ancient relics well and take care of the heritage site.Demolishing the past is easy but bringing it back is almost impossible, so, treasure our heritage before it is all gone.I look forward to being in the comfort and tranquility of my beloved mosque next month.Insya Allah. May my sanctuary be protected from falling into ruin by the administrative commitee and concerned Muslims of Penang. Ameen Ya Rabbal Alameen.1st Day of Ramadan 1428 Hijrah.

Mahaguru58 Readers Club

SETIA GEMILANG AUTO WORKSHOP

My grand nephews and niece

Amir Rafiq Mahaguru58's Grand Nephew

The Muslim Bloggers Alliance

Muslim Bloggers are welcome to join us as members.
I wish to make it clear tothose applying that you need to be an active Muslim Blogger who really blogs for Islam.
If you are just a blog reader or online commenter, do take note that any applications coming from non bloggers or from Non Muslim bloggers will not be entertained.
Click the link above @ ' Join this group' to start your application process.
Applicants are to furnish to the MBA the following details:

Full name

Full blog address

Email address

Contact Mobile Number

Gender

Age

Profession

Failure to furnish the above stated details will render such applications to be deleted without any further notice.
Thank you.
The Muslim Bloggers Alliance.

Mahaguru58 on TV1 'BLOG'

Mahaguru58 on Astro Awani 1st

Mahaguru58 on Astro Awani

Signs of Asmaul Husna on our Palms

Signs on the palms of your own hands

Meanings of Allah's 99 Names

Dakwah RTM Veeran Pt.1

Dakwah RTM Veeran Pt.2

Koperal Khalid Che Rus Perlu Bantuan

Kpl.Khalid Che Rus terima Derma

NOTICE TO ALL READERS OF MAHAGURU58

Please be informed that this is a personal blog and thus contains views and perspectives of the author himself.

The author undertakes to publish only material and contents which he deems fit for public reading and where such content is derived from sources elsewhere prescribes such copyright to their respective owners.

The author reiterates his right to refuse for publication any comments received from anonymous bloggers or commentators.

You are hereby notified that your choice to refer to any contents published here are entirely of your own free will.

There is no compulsion from the author for anyone to concur with his views and perspectives on any said article here.

There have been some who question my nickname and feel that I am proclaiming myself to be on par with the actual MAHAGURU Himself ~ Allah the Almighty Supreme God of us all?

Well, to these obviously short sighted and blinkered folks, I'd like to draw their attention that its nothing as such!

Its just a nickname you imbeciles!

Get out of your mental rut and start opening your eyes to the reality that this is just a blog and not the Holy Scripture professing my holiness or whatever self imagined catastrophe you deduce!!!

I'm just a Muslim blogger for God's Sake sharing my views of whatever I feel strongly about and blogging as I can while I am still able to?

He knows me better than you confused lot!

Do you seriously believe that I, a mortal being claim any such glory that is truly reserved for Him, my beloved Allahu Rabbul Alamin?

Sheeesh...you must be truly mad if you ever think so?

Go study my articles and see if you can find any evidence of my claim to His Greatness?

By that I direct the above reprimand to the ones questioning my nickname?

Stick to the content of my articles and stop scrutinizing my nick!!!

So help me God!

Allahu Ta'ala that is!

No offense meant to the rest of you, my learned and honorable readers. :)

There is none worthy of worship save He, Allah the Almighty!

Having clarified that, the author wishes you a very warm welcome and hopes that you will benefit in all ways by visiting Mahaguru58.

Thank you.

Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Haji Zainol Abideen @ Mahaguru58

Mahaguru58's Comment Policy

I welcome comments that are on topic, uses appropriate language and if put forth in a manner suitable for publishing, it will Insya Allah, be approved.

Comments that are abusive, off-topic, uses foul language or includes ad hominem attacks (personal attacks against my person) will be deleted.

Main criteria for consideration of any comments received is the context, content and relevance to the topic of the article posted.

Please remember that it is my prerogative in publishing or deleting any comments that I receive.

Thank you.

Haji Zainol Abideen @ Mahaguru58

Mahaguru58 Comment Policy

Effective today, 1st of March 2009, Mahaguru58 will only publish or respond to comments from legitimate bloggers who disclose their true identities and do actually have and actively blog. Just like any legitimate Q & A session in a public forum.

State upfront as to who you are and where you blog?

This is the benchmark of personal integrity and self honor.

I am sick and tired of having to answer anonymous folks who do not have the integrity to identify themselves when asking sensitive questions to me or touch upon Islam and Muslims.

Those who are just cyber snipers and not brave enough to identify themselves do not merit any answers or response.

I do reiterate that it is I who decides as to whether to respond or publish any comments that are posted here to me based upon their context and relevance to matters raised in my blog?